Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen today claimed that his brother, Riyaj Bathiudeen's arrest over the Easter Sunday bombings, was a brazen act of political victimization. Riyaj Bathiudeen was arrested on Tuesday(14) in Puttalam over links to the Easter Sunday bombings. The Police yesterday (15) said that the CID had uncovered that Riyaj Bathiudeen had met one Easter Sunday suicide bomber at a luxury hotel in Colombo and that he had had connections with another suicide bomber as well. Issuing a statement today (16)  Rishad Bathiudeen said during the Easter Sunday Attacks last year, many politicians, mainstream and social media started their racial campaigns against him saying he was behind the attacks. "I affirm that neither me nor any of my family members are involved with these terrorist attacks." Rishad Bathiudeen's full statement is reproduced below; My Brother Mr. Riyaj Bathiudeen was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department while he was at his house in Puttalam on 14.04.2020 stating that he had connection with a suicide bomber with respect to Easter Sunday Attacks. Until now none of his family members or his lawyer was allowed to speak to him. Although around 07 persons were arrested along with him, only his name stating that he was my brother was published in all medias with many false allegations. I affirm that neither me nor any of my family members are involved with these terrorist attacks. Also I wish to state that we were and will always be against terrorism since we also belong to a community that were forcibly evicted by the LTTE in 1990. This arrest is clearly political victimization and the only reason for his arrest was that he is a brother of mine. During the Easter Sunday Attacks last year, many politicians, mainstream and social medias started their racial campaigns against me saying that I was behind this attack. But finally it was proved and even the Acting Police IGP informed the Parliamentary Secretary General that Rishad Bathiudeen has had no connection with this attack or any other terrorist activity following his investigations made a Special Police Committee to investigate those false allegations. Now the arrow has been pointed at my brother to tarnish my image. Finally, I wish to state that I and my family including my brother will provide the fullest support to the investigations conducted by the Police and CID with regard to these attacks and I request these racial medias and other extremists to stop publicizing fake news which is a disruption for the investigations. Think wisely and act with humanity!!! Rishad Bathiudeen, Leader – All Ceylon Makkal Congress